Introduction / Context:
This vocabulary question asks for a synonym of the word ravine. Ravine is a geographical term, so we need to find another word that describes a similar natural feature. The other options, although sophisticated, relate to clarity or obviousness rather than landforms. Correctly matching the semantic field of the given word is the key to solving the question.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Word given: Ravine.
- Options: Lucid, Patent, Abyss, Palpable.
- Only one option describes something like a deep, narrow valley or chasm.
Concept / Approach:
A ravine is a deep, narrow valley or gorge, usually with steep sides, often formed by running water. Among the given options, abyss is a word that refers to an extremely deep or bottomless chasm, often used literally for great depths or metaphorically for very serious situations. Lucid, patent, and palpable all describe qualities like clarity or obviousness and do not relate to physical landforms. Therefore, abyss is the closest synonym for ravine in this set.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the meaning of ravine: a deep, narrow valley with steep sides, sometimes formed by a river.
Step 2: Examine abyss. This refers to a very deep or seemingly bottomless pit or chasm, which is conceptually similar to a ravine in that both describe very deep openings in the ground.
Step 3: Examine lucid. This means clear or easy to understand, used mostly for language or thought, not for landforms.
Step 4: Examine patent. This can mean obvious or clearly apparent, or it can be a legal term for exclusive rights; neither sense relates to physical geography.
Step 5: Examine palpable. This means easily perceived or felt, often used for emotions or tension, not for terrain.
Step 6: Conclude that abyss is the only option that refers to a type of deep hole or chasm, making it the nearest synonym.
Verification / Alternative check:
If we read sentences like The hikers carefully crossed the ravine and They stood at the edge of an abyss, both conjure images of deep, potentially dangerous openings in the earth. While ravine and abyss are not perfect one to one equivalents, abyss is far closer to ravine than the other choices, which all belong to totally different semantic fields. This is sufficient for exam purposes where the closest synonym among the options is considered correct.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Lucid: Means clear in meaning or thinking; it has no connection with physical geography.
- Patent: Means obvious or, as a noun, a legal right; again, not related to ravines or landforms.
- Palpable: Means easily perceived or felt, often used with words like silence or tension.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose words like lucid or patent because they are more familiar or have been seen often in reading. However, their meanings are not related to ravine at all. When solving synonym questions, always identify the core meaning of the original word first, then eliminate options that belong to totally different categories, such as emotional states or intellectual qualities, when the original word is a concrete geographical term.
Final Answer:
The word similar in meaning to ravine is
Abyss.
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